Stretching helps size??

[PatBateman]

I remember reading an interview with Lee Priest who said he did serious stretching for his bi's a few nights a week. He got a massage from his wife to loosen the muscle and then did serious stretching to help lengthen the muscle. Is this bs, or does stretching certain muscles a lot help build the area up some?? Thanks for any input!!


also, I know this last question should be on training board, but my chest is getting a bit bigger than I'm used to and it is pulling my posture down. So I figure I really need to strengthen posterior delt for posture, but don't know if I should go heavy weight or high reps to build strength(not looking for size in post. delt, just posture results). Karma for help!!

 

[marky]

Not talked about enough

Lee Haney swore that stretching was a big part in his lat developement and width. Personally I have seen great improvement in lats as well as pecs. After a wkout I pose the muscle group for 20minutes. These 2 practices I believe to be very helpful to muscle shape and definition. They look better if you know how to show them better.

 

[XCYTER]

The only stretching the muscle theory Ive heard that makes sens to me is massaging the muscle in a way that stretches the muscle sheath. This allows for increased muscle growth, also called the facia if Im not mistaken. Anyone else?

 

[soshesblowinme]

I read in a Men's Health mgazine a while back that stretching before, after workouts, and during rests can increase muscle growth by up to 20%. Whos knows if its true or not. Its just what I read. Although I do believe its good to stretch before ,after, and during rests to improve flexibility. Since we all know gaining alot of muscle mass can take away from flexibility.

 

[Dr.M]

Stretching before workouts supposedly has been proven to decrease strength. I stretch after workouts or between sets, but supposedly optimum is after.

I do know that it helps flexibility, for growth I have heard massage is good, a hot shower is nice, didn't/don't know if stretching really helps growth however.

 

[SOLID]

I stretch the worked muscle group for 1min after the sets are done. Not to mention in between sets. Then move to next muscle group being trained, repeat, and stretch more postworkout.

 

[soshesblowinme]

Stretching before workouts supposedly has been proven to decrease strength

It suppost to decrease overall strength? Or your strength for that workout?

 

[PatBateman]

Up for the last question

 

[supertech69]

I read somewhere that when you stretch before lifting it takes away from the intensity of your first few sets. I don't know how true it is but, I can tell you this, I have been trying this theory for about the last 8 months & now that I've put on a few more lbs & have been through one cycle, my flexibility absolutely sux. Now I am having trouble getting myself back into the groove of stretching every day. It seems to have made me cramp up a hell of a lot more, especially legs. I am going back to a total body stretching routine & will keep it from now on. Just my $.02

 

[Nutri-Wrestler]

Stretches pull the actin and myosin filaments (the things that make your muscles contract) apart. this sounds bad, but its good. When you pull on it, the myosin form crossbridges with the actin to pullthem together. Your muslces actually produce more power by stretching than contracting. Plus, stretching helps to wram the enzymes and help stop injuries

 

[DJtictac]

heavy stretching

these are no ordinary stretches. these stretches i do a maybe once a week or every two weeks. they are usually pretty painful to do but it stretches the connectine tissue(fascia) around the muscle allowing your muscles to grow bigger and more easily since there wont be anything restraining it. supplementing with calcium helps to repair the tears that you make in the connective tissue from the stretches. people that go from fat to being big and muscular dont really have to do these at first since their connective tissue is stretched enough. but if they continue with weight training they will eventually need to do it.

 

[THE BOUNCER]

i never stretch. maybe i should though.

 

[McBane]

I've also read that by stretching and keeping muscles "loose" there is an increased blood flow to the muscles.

 

[DJtictac]

i do regular stretching before a set, in between sets, and after. and i can put both my feet behind my head

 

[bazilbb]

i read a study(dont remember where) done on some birds where they stretched their wings beyond their normal capacity for 3 days nonstop! then they accessed hytpertrophy, which was more then 100%(it actually was much more but i cant remember exactly how much) that guy recommended stretching seriously post workouts.
BarPk